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What are your unpopular opinions about health / fitness?
Replies
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veronikamellon wrote: »Ya'll will slaughter me here but I believe there is more to CICO than meets the eye. Human body is not a car engine, it is much more complex. There are multiple variables that can throw the math off. Heck even the calorie intake and burn measurements are often extremely imprecise. Until they invent some sort of an implant that measures exactly how much is consumed and burned, I will remain skeptical. That being said, I still log calories, since it is a working method, albeit imperfect.
So explain to me how I've lost nearly 70 pounds using such a flawed, imprecise, imperfect system.
I didn't do keto or low carb. I didn't fast, nor did I go paleo, vegetarian or vegan. I didn't cut a single thing out of my diet. I didn't detox, cleanse, drink ACV or Shakeology, nor did I take "fat burners" or appetite suppressants. I'm 54 years old, I drink diet soda daily, eat fast food several times a week, don't even track my sugar intake and still eat candy, ice cream, etc. I drink beer and hard alcohol on occasion. I eat plenty of red meat and am not in the least scared of carbs or fats.
In short, I haven't done any of the "tricks" or fads that people think help with weight loss. All I've done is count calories (even eyeballing a large portion of my meals rather than using a food scale), maintained a reasonable deficit and exercised consistently. I've refined my calorie goals based upon feedback obtained from the scale and anthropomorphic measurements as I went along. My blood pressure has lowered significantly, my GERD is completely gone, my RHR has dropped to the high 40s/low 50s, my bodyfat has gone from about 35% to around 15% and I have no medical/health issues whatsoever. I'm in the best health and physical condition that I've been since my teens and if I could go back in time I could easily kick my 20, 30 or 40 year-old butt.
So I guess my unpopular opinion is that not only does CICO work, it's the only thing that works. It's the only way anybody loses weight, whether they choose to recognize that fact or not. You can refuse to believe in gravity, but you're still going to hit the ground when you jump out of a tree.
haha you get so defensive it's crazy.
She never said flawed. She said imperfect and imprecise. Which is 100% is. Everyone makes it seem like this easy formula that you just plug in what you burn, and then eat 500 less than that and you lose weight. Yeah, if it was that easy no one would ever have any issues. But you NEVER really know what your calorie expenditure is, at best it's an educated guess, and most of the time it's based off some random calculator online that knows NOTHING about you, your health, your body functions, your lean mass, your bone structure, NOTHING. It just says, most men, at your age, who are that tall are expected to burn this much.
That's why when people offer for people to try and lose 0.5 pound per week its absolutely ridiculous. That's so small of a deficit that one day you might be in a deficit and the next you might be in a surplus because one day you went to work and sat around all day, and that Saturday you took your kid to a soccer game and burned the extra 250 calories walking for 45 min to and from the field and getting everything set up.
People on here make it seem soooooo easy it's terrible to watch people just say to count your calories and stay under your calorie goal, that's all that matters for weight loss, yeah, and in 6 weeks when that same calorie count is only having you lose 1 pound a week instead of 2, you know why, because your body is screwed from eating crap the last 6 weeks and your body isn't able to function appropriately an d has slowed down your metabolic functions.
I guess you missed the part where I said "I refined my calorie goals based upon feedback from the scale and anthropomorphic measurements as I went along". No formula is perfect, but you have perfectly viable feedback mechanisms to measure whether it's working or not, and/or how much it's working. This ain't rocket science.
[ETA:] I'd be very interested to hear how you think weight loss works.
I am not arguing that the laws of thermodynamics aren't true.
What I am arguing is that it's not as easy as people make it out to be. It's not as easy as saying, well the treadmill said I burned 500 calories on the treadmill and this chocolate bar is 500 calories, so if I do this everyday, I can eat this chocolate bar everyday and just walk on the treadmill everyday for 500 calories and not gain weight. That will not stand true. Over time your body starts to adjust and become more efficient. The second day you may only burn 499 calories even though the treadmill says you've burned 500, but the chocolate bar is still equally as dense. At some point you will become efficient enough where the calories in (chocolate bar) will exceed the calories out (treadmill), to the point where weight loss will slow or stall. If you have a huge deficit and are eating 1200 calories a day (which is seems like half the people on here are doing), which is absolutely ridiculous, of course you'll continue to lose weight, you're essentially starving yourself and it would be difficult to be in a surplus at that many calories.
CICO is not as easy as it seems. And don't come back saying yeah it is cause I lost X amount of weight counting my calories. Yeah so what, so has everyone, but no one actually knows if they were being as efficient as they could be until after the fact, which is when you make adjustments for the future, but you still don't know how those adjustments will work until another future time.
You're completely wrong on this.... AGAIN!
Adaptation means I will either go farther in the same time, or faster for the same distance, not that the caloric burn will change for the same work.
If I walk 4 miles or 1 hour at 4 mph today, I will burn between 490-550 calories(according to MFP) If I walk the exact same distance in the exact same time tomorrow, I will burn the exact same calories.
As I get stronger, faster, I may go 4.5 miles in one hour... burning more calories... or I may go 4 miles in 50 minutes, burning slightly fewer calories. But If I walk the exact same speed for the exact same time, I will burn the exact same calories...
Now, if I'm in a deficit, I'll weigh less next week, and by virtue of the reduction in weight, I will in fact burn fewer calories, but that's got nothing to do with adaptation, and everything to do with a measurable reduction in work... I could compensate by wearing a Titin. or by increasing my speed and distance13 -
janejellyroll wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »- The people who brag that "I lost all of my weight eating junk food everyday". This is not something to be proud of.
That's one I can't get behind. Losing weight is always something to be proud of. Just because I did it with a serving of ice cream and some chocolate chips in my Greek yogurt, you don't get to take that away from me.
The concept that what one eats or doesn't eat should be a source of pride is an idea that's been really harmful to me in the past. It's food.
Saddling it with additional moral weight may work for some people, but not for me.
I'm in complete agreement. I see so many on social media giddily bragging about eating certain foods (bacon, donuts, Nutella, etc.) as though they are engaging in some hardcore rebellious activity and I don't get it. I eat them too, I just don't see it as some monumental accomplishment.
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Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »jseams1234 wrote: »jseams1234 wrote: »Heres one: If you don't break a sweat during your workout you aren't working out.
I find it amazing that so many out-of-shape people in my gym never seem to experience any discomfort and can walk out as clean and as dry as they walked in.
... or maybe it's just me. I end up looking like a miserable wet dog even on days where it's all weights and no cardio. lol
... or maybe they are in shape and I'm out of shape. hmmmmm
I row regularly in a double (2-person rowing shell), with two different people. Me, I sweat like a lawn sprinkler. I'm that wet dog. M, my most frequent double partner, also sweats copiously. J, the other partner, might sweat a little if it's 90+ degrees F, otherwise, not much. Boat speed similar. Fitness pretty similar. I think all of us are getting a similarly good workout. I worry that J could have health issues if it's really hot outside, though. So far, hasn't happened.
I've read about it - many causes. Some genetic and some health related. A lot of people are just not hydrated enough which will cause less sweating. I'm mostly talking about the people I see reading books on the treadmill walking 1mph or people doing 1 set per machine at 30% 1RM thinking they are workin' it.
I don't know, on recovery days I walk leisurely listening to audiobooks (I do sweat because I'm prone to sweating in the summer during even the lightest activities). 2 hours of that a day gives me 500 extra calories, is very beneficial for my health without stressing joints, and keeps my walking endurance up for hikes. To me, any sort of activity for any length of time is good, as long as you're not delusional about what it is you are doing and how much you are burning doing it (you are NOT burning 1000 calories doing 30 minutes of bootcamp no matter how hellish it feels).
I always find it so interesting how some people sweat a lot and others just don't. At the gym most people I see doing cardio don't sweat at all but I am DRIPPING. SO much that I have to change my clothes halfway through they are so wet. I am so self conscious of it and its the reason I hate going to the gym with anyone lol.
If amount of sweat indicated calorie loss, I would weigh 9 pounds. I look like I just showered after a good workout. Sure don't smell like it though.
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janejellyroll wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »- The people who brag that "I lost all of my weight eating junk food everyday". This is not something to be proud of.
That's one I can't get behind. Losing weight is always something to be proud of. Just because I did it with a serving of ice cream and some chocolate chips in my Greek yogurt, you don't get to take that away from me.
The concept that what one eats or doesn't eat should be a source of pride is an idea that's been really harmful to me in the past. It's food.
Saddling it with additional moral weight may work for some people, but not for me.
Totally agree, and it's something I've had issues with too.3 -
I hate it when people use the excuse that fast food, junk food, and ready meals are cheaper than eating healthily.
I've been using this app for a few months and have changed my diet completely. My healthy food shop is at LEAST £10 cheaper a week than before.
STOP USING EXCUSES TO NOT EAT RIGHT, A CARROT IS NOT MORE EXPENSIVE THAN A CHOCOLATE BAR.9 -
I hate it when people use the excuse that fast food, junk food, and ready meals are cheaper than eating healthily.
I've been using this app for a few months and have changed my diet completely. My healthy food shop is at LEAST £10 cheaper a week than before.
STOP USING EXCUSES TO NOT EAT RIGHT, A CARROT IS NOT MORE EXPENSIVE THAN A CHOCOLATE BAR.
Let's see
For $2
2x Snickers 430 Calories 22g Fat, 56g Carbs, 6g Protein
1x McDouble 390 Calories 18g Fat 34g Carbs 23g Protein
1x lb Carrots 180 Calories 0 fat 42g Carbs 6g Protein
Carrots lose.
Sorry.17 -
"Agave is better than sugar."
"Organic, grass fed, lives-or-grows-on-the-beach-in-California" food is better than regular.12 -
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ForecasterJason wrote: »
Over here in the U.S., I'm pretty sure those same foods would be laced with preservatives, particularly when it comes to cheaper brands.VintageFeline wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »@WinoGelato I will admit that my first thought when i see diaries over run with packet/convenience/take away meals is they are either lazy and/or cant cook :blushing:
Awesome. Let me tell you about my typical weekday. Wake at 5:30 am. Spend about 30 minutes with morning routine. 6-6:15 am I check emails that came in overnight from Europe and Asia for work and answer any which are critical. Work out from 6;15 -7:15 am. 7:15-7:30 get my kids (6 and 8 year old boys) up and get them ready for the day (breakfast, make sure they got dressed, brushed teeth, etc, pack lunches for them). 7:30-8am I get ready for work. 8-8:30 I gather everything up for myself (computer, breakfast, lunch) and the kids (backpacks, water bottles, lunches, and the stuff they need for evening activities as well), drive to drop them off at school and then get myself to work by 8:30 or 8:45. I heat my breakfast up (if hot breakfast like a breakfast sandwich or bowl) or eat the yogurt, granola, and fruit I brought from home while I am getting situated in the office. I am in meetings most of the day, and when I do break for lunch, I either have leftovers from a meal that I cooked myself the night before, or I have a frozen meal that I can heat up. I eat at my desk and go for a 30 minute walk at lunch. I work till 5:30 and leave to get my kids by 5:45 or 6pm, then take them to soccer or baseball practice, tutoring, scouts. Sometimes multiple activities in the same night. The whole time I am trying to walk, as well as check more emails on my phone, sometimes calls with Asia while I am at the ball field. We usually get home from the activities by 7:30, at which point I help them with homework (15-30 min) and then have to figure out dinner. Yes, I like to cook and am not bad at it - but on nights like this often hamburger helper with a salad, or a skillet meal, or grilled cheese and tomato soup wins. I get that together while the kids are in the bath, we try to eat around 8pm, and then I spend about an hour putting them to bed and reading to them. By the time I get them in bed it is after 9pm and I have to clean up the kitchen, lay out clothes for the next day, - sometimes if I do want to cook myself a nice meal I do it after they have gone to bed and I eat around 9:30 pm. I spend about an hour just vegging out, watching TV, before getting ready for bed around 10:30, reading for a half hour or so, and finally go to sleep around 11 pm so I can get up and do it all over again.
I can see how that makes me sound lazy.
But thank you for making the point about why my opinion that these foods are a helpful addition to my life is unpopular.
BRA-*kitten*-VO.
Perhaps before assuming someone is lazy, you may consider they may have less time on their hands than you perhaps do.
I don't tend to think people lazy for choosing convenience foods except for cases where I know it's true. But I do think they are often using lack of time as an excuse to eat convenience foods instead of something that might be a little healthier. It doesn't take any longer to bake frozen fish and precut broccoli in the oven than it does a frozen pizza. It doesn't take any longer to make an omelet or stir fry using precut vegetables than it does to make Hamburger Helper.
I'm not suggesting anyone shouldn't eat whatever they want, just saying I rarely buy the "I don't have time" excuse.
How about those of us with chronic illnesses that physically or cognitively impair ones ability to cook. Even sometimes things you can throw in the oven. I forget and burn things. Not yet burned my flat down but that's because I know when not to cook.
I don't use frozen meals but here in the UK we have massive choice of fresh meals from the fridge. My nutrition and macros are fine.
Here's the ingredients of a few of those awful convenience foods.
This is chilli and rice:
Cooked Rice (Water, Long Grain Rice), Red Pepper (18%), British Beef (17%), Onion, Red Kidney Beans (11%), Tomato (6%), Beef Stock (Beef Juices, Tomato Paste, Onion, Carrot), Tomato Purée, Cornflour, Garlic Purée, Rapeseed Oil, Coriander Leaf, Cumin, Salt, Smoked Paprika, Molasses, Chilli Powder, Oregano, Coriander, Black Pepper.
Tomato and basil chicken:
Baby Potato (42%), Tomato (25%), British Chicken (20%), Onion, Water, Rapeseed Oil, Sundried Tomato, Garlic Purée, Tomato Purée, Sugar, Cornflour, Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil, Rosemary, Basil, Salt, Potato Starch, White Wine Vinegar, Oregano, Black Pepper, Lemon Juice from Concentrate, Garlic Extract, Basil Extract.
But yeah, totally nutritionally deficient and full of preservatives. Carry on judging me.
And???
How do those preservatives actively harm my health, deplete the nutrients that are in the frozen meal, or otherwise hinder my progress toward my goals?10 -
Here's my #1 unpopular opinion: I think there's far too much woo and derp surrounding keto/low-carb dieting.
I don't have any problem with the diet/way of eating/whatever you want to call it in itself - it can be a viable, healthy modality if used correctly. What I have a problem with are all the claims of magick and wizardry surrounding it, the scientifically unfounded demonization of carbohydrates/sugars, and the total ignorance of context and dosage. Not to mention the unscrupulous and unhinged "doctors" and "researchers" who delude their followers with cherry-picked research, pseudoscience and complete denial of the most basic concepts of physiology to further their agenda and sell their books/products.
Keto/low-carb has shown some efficacy in helping with some specific medical conditions. It's not a panacea which will miraculously cure every disease known to man, nor is it a magical solution to weight loss which somehow defies the laws of energy balance.
If it helps you (the general "you") with your satiety and adherence, cool. Good for you, you've found what works for you, go forth and enjoy. But that doesn't mean it's The One True Way for everybody and that all the poor, unwashed non-keto mortals are going to drop dead of the diabeetus because they ate a banana for breakfast or had a couple slices of bread with dinner.
*In my opinion.*
In short, there is no problem with eating low carb, just problems with low carbers
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Tacklewasher wrote: »Here's my #1 unpopular opinion: I think there's far too much woo and derp surrounding keto/low-carb dieting.
I don't have any problem with the diet/way of eating/whatever you want to call it in itself - it can be a viable, healthy modality if used correctly. What I have a problem with are all the claims of magick and wizardry surrounding it, the scientifically unfounded demonization of carbohydrates/sugars, and the total ignorance of context and dosage. Not to mention the unscrupulous and unhinged "doctors" and "researchers" who delude their followers with cherry-picked research, pseudoscience and complete denial of the most basic concepts of physiology to further their agenda and sell their books/products.
Keto/low-carb has shown some efficacy in helping with some specific medical conditions. It's not a panacea which will miraculously cure every disease known to man, nor is it a magical solution to weight loss which somehow defies the laws of energy balance.
If it helps you (the general "you") with your satiety and adherence, cool. Good for you, you've found what works for you, go forth and enjoy. But that doesn't mean it's The One True Way for everybody and that all the poor, unwashed non-keto mortals are going to drop dead of the diabeetus because they ate a banana for breakfast or had a couple slices of bread with dinner.
*In my opinion.*
In short, there is no problem with eating low carb, just problems with low carbers
So kind of like Crossfit that way? 12 -
stanmann571 wrote: »Tacklewasher wrote: »Here's my #1 unpopular opinion: I think there's far too much woo and derp surrounding keto/low-carb dieting.
I don't have any problem with the diet/way of eating/whatever you want to call it in itself - it can be a viable, healthy modality if used correctly. What I have a problem with are all the claims of magick and wizardry surrounding it, the scientifically unfounded demonization of carbohydrates/sugars, and the total ignorance of context and dosage. Not to mention the unscrupulous and unhinged "doctors" and "researchers" who delude their followers with cherry-picked research, pseudoscience and complete denial of the most basic concepts of physiology to further their agenda and sell their books/products.
Keto/low-carb has shown some efficacy in helping with some specific medical conditions. It's not a panacea which will miraculously cure every disease known to man, nor is it a magical solution to weight loss which somehow defies the laws of energy balance.
If it helps you (the general "you") with your satiety and adherence, cool. Good for you, you've found what works for you, go forth and enjoy. But that doesn't mean it's The One True Way for everybody and that all the poor, unwashed non-keto mortals are going to drop dead of the diabeetus because they ate a banana for breakfast or had a couple slices of bread with dinner.
*In my opinion.*
In short, there is no problem with eating low carb, just problems with low carbers
So kind of like Crossfit that way?
Hell. Like any religion. 9 -
janejellyroll wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »- The people who brag that "I lost all of my weight eating junk food everyday". This is not something to be proud of.
That's one I can't get behind. Losing weight is always something to be proud of. Just because I did it with a serving of ice cream and some chocolate chips in my Greek yogurt, you don't get to take that away from me.
The concept that what one eats or doesn't eat should be a source of pride is an idea that's been really harmful to me in the past. It's food.
Saddling it with additional moral weight may work for some people, but not for me.
EXACTLY! Both sides of the coin - people who brag they ate nothing but "junk" food all the way, and people who brag they ate nothing but cmriverside's "Organic, grass fed, lives-or-grows-on-the-beach-in-California" food. It's right up there with the concept of "cheating" in weight loss methods.6 -
Tacklewasher wrote: »Here's my #1 unpopular opinion: I think there's far too much woo and derp surrounding keto/low-carb dieting.
I don't have any problem with the diet/way of eating/whatever you want to call it in itself - it can be a viable, healthy modality if used correctly. What I have a problem with are all the claims of magick and wizardry surrounding it, the scientifically unfounded demonization of carbohydrates/sugars, and the total ignorance of context and dosage. Not to mention the unscrupulous and unhinged "doctors" and "researchers" who delude their followers with cherry-picked research, pseudoscience and complete denial of the most basic concepts of physiology to further their agenda and sell their books/products.
Keto/low-carb has shown some efficacy in helping with some specific medical conditions. It's not a panacea which will miraculously cure every disease known to man, nor is it a magical solution to weight loss which somehow defies the laws of energy balance.
If it helps you (the general "you") with your satiety and adherence, cool. Good for you, you've found what works for you, go forth and enjoy. But that doesn't mean it's The One True Way for everybody and that all the poor, unwashed non-keto mortals are going to drop dead of the diabeetus because they ate a banana for breakfast or had a couple slices of bread with dinner.
*In my opinion.*
In short, there is no problem with eating low carb, just problems with low carbers
Just the millitant ones.3 -
I won't debate any of these, but I have several unpopular opinions.
1. I do believe that food can be considered healthy, junk, good, bad, franken food, etc. If you can enjoy them and still reach your goals, that's great! If not, or if you don't want to, then that is fine as well. Do what works for you.
2. There are militants in every "diet". There is no reason to bash people who do paleo/low carb/keto, but don't think your way is the only way. There are more reasonable people out there, but they are sensible enough not to get into these debates.
3. The people who throw away perfectly good food baffle me. I am not talking about a bite or two of a pizza, but a slice that was given to them by a coworker, or Halloween candy that could have easily been donated. We're adults; at some point you have to stop thinking you're hurting someone's feelings over something as silly as food.
4. There are socioeconomic disparities and barriers that have negative impacts on weight and overall health.
5. That being said, people who do have the resources, yet claim it's so difficult to afford a healthier lifestyle either are doing it wrong, or are just making excuses. You don't need to go to a gym to exercise, and healthy food can be affordable if you know how to budget (sales, cutting down on eating out, cutting out or choosing a smaller size of that daily vanilla latte).
6. There is a lot of "woo" science out there, but you can learn something from even the oddballs. Chris Kresser, for instance, believes in CICO. I still would not ever follow his detox program.
I am sure there are some more, but I can't remember any of them. I also have a lot of unpopular opinions according to the paleo/low carb/whatever trendy diet is out there now, even though I am doing the first two. I am an equal opportunity opinionater.
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janejellyroll wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »- The people who brag that "I lost all of my weight eating junk food everyday". This is not something to be proud of.
That's one I can't get behind. Losing weight is always something to be proud of. Just because I did it with a serving of ice cream and some chocolate chips in my Greek yogurt, you don't get to take that away from me.
The concept that what one eats or doesn't eat should be a source of pride is an idea that's been really harmful to me in the past. It's food.
Saddling it with additional moral weight may work for some people, but not for me.
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I won't debate any of these, but I have several unpopular opinions.
1. I do believe that food can be considered healthy, junk, good, bad, franken food, etc. If you can enjoy them and still reach your goals, that's great! If not, or if you don't want to, then that is fine as well. Do what works for you.
2. There are militants in every "diet". There is no reason to bash people who do paleo/low carb/keto, but don't think your way is the only way. There are more reasonable people out there, but they are sensible enough not to get into these debates.
3. The people who throw away perfectly good food baffle me. I am not talking about a bite or two of a pizza, but a slice that was given to them by a coworker, or Halloween candy that could have easily been donated. We're adults; at some point you have to stop thinking you're hurting someone's feelings over something as silly as food.
4. There are socioeconomic disparities and barriers that have negative impacts on weight and overall health.
5. That being said, people who do have the resources, yet claim it's so difficult to afford a healthier lifestyle either are doing it wrong, or are just making excuses. You don't need to go to a gym to exercise, and healthy food can be affordable if you know how to budget (sales, cutting down on eating out, cutting out or choosing a smaller size of that daily vanilla latte).
6. There is a lot of "woo" science out there, but you can learn something from even the oddballs. Chris Kresser, for instance, believes in CICO. I still would not ever follow his detox program.
I am sure there are some more, but I can't remember any of them. I also have a lot of unpopular opinions according to the paleo/low carb/whatever trendy diet is out there now, even though I am doing the first two. I am an equal opportunity opinionater.
I was just trying to find a way to say the bolded statement earlier today- thank you for putting it down so clearly.
I agree with everything in this post except possibly #3, which I am not sure I am interpreting correctly or not. I agree that food shouldn't be tossed if at all possible to eat/share/donate, but I don't feel super obligated to eat another office worker's Halloween candy or food. In those situations, I either refuse to grab some if it is out or if I was given food, I try to share with as many people around me as possible. I don't really like when other people force food on me that I don't want and I certainly don't just take food and then toss it to avoid "hurting" someone's feelings. I just won't take the food. But if a co-worker handed me a slice of pizza I didn't ask for and couldn't eat (like I just finished my own lunch), I would decline taking it or put it back with the rest of the pizza. I just set up my food ahead of time most days and if I can't rearrange for something like this, I won't eat it. Leftovers for dinner I sometimes take (if I can transport it) but I don't feel obligated to do that if someone else brought in too much food. I think whoever brought in the food is responsible for making sure if it is not fully eaten, it is not wasted.1 -
I won't debate any of these, but I have several unpopular opinions.
1. I do believe that food can be considered healthy, junk, good, bad, franken food, etc. If you can enjoy them and still reach your goals, that's great! If not, or if you don't want to, then that is fine as well. Do what works for you.
2. There are militants in every "diet". There is no reason to bash people who do paleo/low carb/keto, but don't think your way is the only way. There are more reasonable people out there, but they are sensible enough not to get into these debates.
3. The people who throw away perfectly good food baffle me. I am not talking about a bite or two of a pizza, but a slice that was given to them by a coworker, or Halloween candy that could have easily been donated. We're adults; at some point you have to stop thinking you're hurting someone's feelings over something as silly as food.
4. There are socioeconomic disparities and barriers that have negative impacts on weight and overall health.
5. That being said, people who do have the resources, yet claim it's so difficult to afford a healthier lifestyle either are doing it wrong, or are just making excuses. You don't need to go to a gym to exercise, and healthy food can be affordable if you know how to budget (sales, cutting down on eating out, cutting out or choosing a smaller size of that daily vanilla latte).
6. There is a lot of "woo" science out there, but you can learn something from even the oddballs. Chris Kresser, for instance, believes in CICO. I still would not ever follow his detox program.
I am sure there are some more, but I can't remember any of them. I also have a lot of unpopular opinions according to the paleo/low carb/whatever trendy diet is out there now, even though I am doing the first two. I am an equal opportunity opinionater.
also this1 -
BeachBody is a cult, and posting fitness selfies and statuses on social media for the purpose of making money is hypocritical to fitness motivation.5
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Penthesilea514 wrote: »I won't debate any of these, but I have several unpopular opinions.
1. I do believe that food can be considered healthy, junk, good, bad, franken food, etc. If you can enjoy them and still reach your goals, that's great! If not, or if you don't want to, then that is fine as well. Do what works for you.
2. There are militants in every "diet". There is no reason to bash people who do paleo/low carb/keto, but don't think your way is the only way. There are more reasonable people out there, but they are sensible enough not to get into these debates.
3. The people who throw away perfectly good food baffle me. I am not talking about a bite or two of a pizza, but a slice that was given to them by a coworker, or Halloween candy that could have easily been donated. We're adults; at some point you have to stop thinking you're hurting someone's feelings over something as silly as food.
4. There are socioeconomic disparities and barriers that have negative impacts on weight and overall health.
5. That being said, people who do have the resources, yet claim it's so difficult to afford a healthier lifestyle either are doing it wrong, or are just making excuses. You don't need to go to a gym to exercise, and healthy food can be affordable if you know how to budget (sales, cutting down on eating out, cutting out or choosing a smaller size of that daily vanilla latte).
6. There is a lot of "woo" science out there, but you can learn something from even the oddballs. Chris Kresser, for instance, believes in CICO. I still would not ever follow his detox program.
I am sure there are some more, but I can't remember any of them. I also have a lot of unpopular opinions according to the paleo/low carb/whatever trendy diet is out there now, even though I am doing the first two. I am an equal opportunity opinionater.
I was just trying to find a way to say the bolded statement earlier today- thank you for putting it down so clearly.
I agree with everything in this post except possibly #3, which I am not sure I am interpreting correctly or not. I agree that food shouldn't be tossed if at all possible to eat/share/donate, but I don't feel super obligated to eat another office worker's Halloween candy or food. In those situations, I either refuse to grab some if it is out or if I was given food, I try to share with as many people around me as possible. I don't really like when other people force food on me that I don't want and I certainly don't just take food and then toss it to avoid "hurting" someone's feelings. I just won't take the food. But if a co-worker handed me a slice of pizza I didn't ask for and couldn't eat (like I just finished my own lunch), I would decline taking it or put it back with the rest of the pizza. I just set up my food ahead of time most days and if I can't rearrange for something like this, I won't eat it. Leftovers for dinner I sometimes take (if I can transport it) but I don't feel obligated to do that if someone else brought in too much food. I think whoever brought in the food is responsible for making sure if it is not fully eaten, it is not wasted.
That's what I meant! I have read some posts on here where people are actually wondering what to do if a coworker gives them food, and some of the responses have been, "I just throw it away when they aren't looking". I don't really understand why it is hard to refuse unless if you are new and still figuring things out. Your approach is perfectly reasonable.3 -
That's what I meant! I have read some posts on here where people are actually wondering what to do if a coworker gives them food, and some of the responses have been, "I just throw it away when they aren't looking". I don't really understand why it is hard to refuse unless if you are new and still figuring things out. Your approach is perfectly reasonable.
Ah okay, I see what you are saying. Then yes, +1 to your post 0 -
Penthesilea514 wrote: »I won't debate any of these, but I have several unpopular opinions.
1. I do believe that food can be considered healthy, junk, good, bad, franken food, etc. If you can enjoy them and still reach your goals, that's great! If not, or if you don't want to, then that is fine as well. Do what works for you.
2. There are militants in every "diet". There is no reason to bash people who do paleo/low carb/keto, but don't think your way is the only way. There are more reasonable people out there, but they are sensible enough not to get into these debates.
3. The people who throw away perfectly good food baffle me. I am not talking about a bite or two of a pizza, but a slice that was given to them by a coworker, or Halloween candy that could have easily been donated. We're adults; at some point you have to stop thinking you're hurting someone's feelings over something as silly as food.
4. There are socioeconomic disparities and barriers that have negative impacts on weight and overall health.
5. That being said, people who do have the resources, yet claim it's so difficult to afford a healthier lifestyle either are doing it wrong, or are just making excuses. You don't need to go to a gym to exercise, and healthy food can be affordable if you know how to budget (sales, cutting down on eating out, cutting out or choosing a smaller size of that daily vanilla latte).
6. There is a lot of "woo" science out there, but you can learn something from even the oddballs. Chris Kresser, for instance, believes in CICO. I still would not ever follow his detox program.
I am sure there are some more, but I can't remember any of them. I also have a lot of unpopular opinions according to the paleo/low carb/whatever trendy diet is out there now, even though I am doing the first two. I am an equal opportunity opinionater.
I was just trying to find a way to say the bolded statement earlier today- thank you for putting it down so clearly.
I agree with everything in this post except possibly #3, which I am not sure I am interpreting correctly or not. I agree that food shouldn't be tossed if at all possible to eat/share/donate, but I don't feel super obligated to eat another office worker's Halloween candy or food. In those situations, I either refuse to grab some if it is out or if I was given food, I try to share with as many people around me as possible. I don't really like when other people force food on me that I don't want and I certainly don't just take food and then toss it to avoid "hurting" someone's feelings. I just won't take the food. But if a co-worker handed me a slice of pizza I didn't ask for and couldn't eat (like I just finished my own lunch), I would decline taking it or put it back with the rest of the pizza. I just set up my food ahead of time most days and if I can't rearrange for something like this, I won't eat it. Leftovers for dinner I sometimes take (if I can transport it) but I don't feel obligated to do that if someone else brought in too much food. I think whoever brought in the food is responsible for making sure if it is not fully eaten, it is not wasted.
That's what I meant! I have read some posts on here where people are actually wondering what to do if a coworker gives them food, and some of the responses have been, "I just throw it away when they aren't looking". I don't really understand why it is hard to refuse unless if you are new and still figuring things out. Your approach is perfectly reasonable.
It shouldn't be, unless your coworkers are unusually pushy and obnoxious.
I had a friend who behaved like that (except regarding beer) once upon a time, so I can sympathize. Unlike a coworker situation, I was free to tell her to *kitten* off at the 100th 'c'mon, just try some'. And I did. Actually, had to do it several times until she quit speaking with me entirely - and no, she wasn't even slightly tipsy.
If we'd been at work I'd have just taken the damn beer, somehow resisted the urge not make a scene by beaning her over the head with it, and pretended to drink some just to shut her up.1 -
2. There are militants in every "diet". There is no reason to bash people who do paleo/low carb/keto, but don't think your way is the only way. There are more reasonable people out there, but they are sensible enough not to get into these debates.
I'm not following this, or not seeing why you think it's unpopular, perhaps.
Of course there's no reason to bash people who do a specific diet. What I think is found unreasonable is claiming that diet is the One True Way or evangelizing it as better than other diets, in general, claiming that not eating keto or paleo or whatever = unhealthy.3. The people who throw away perfectly good food baffle me. I am not talking about a bite or two of a pizza, but a slice that was given to them by a coworker, or Halloween candy that could have easily been donated. We're adults; at some point you have to stop thinking you're hurting someone's feelings over something as silly as food.
Eh, this doesn't happen much, but if someone leaves me a cookie I don't want on my desk with a note saying "thinking of you," I might toss it (although I wouldn't make a thing about it or tell anyone). Why not? You cannot donate something like that.4 -
I've tossed pieces of office birthday cake before, I doubt the shelter would have been able to do much with a 3" square of macros I didn't have to spare that day lol3
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Yeah, I had a former friend/roommate who had... issues. Some were mental health-related, some physical, but I found myself in a co-dependent relationship. She'd told me that she'd also been anorexic in her teens and as my weight came off, I think she started feeling threatened. She'd start pushing food on me and if I told her "thanks, but no thanks," she'd accuse me of having/being on the way to developing an eating disorder. "My mom sent over extra cake, just for you. She bakes healthy!" (Yeah, but healthy doesn't necessarily mean low-cal and I had no clue what a serving was supposed to be). "You have to eat it or you'll hurt her feelings. And she's going to ask me how you liked it and she'll be really insulted if I tell her you wouldn't even try it. No, I can't lie to her."
Or the strawman I was too enmeshed to see: "You mean you're NEVER having dessert again? That's not normal."
Well, she's out of my life and I'm in a better headspace now.5 -
Organic, Non-GMO, "natural", detoxes, cleanses... all of the silly woo BS. Makes me really angry especially when I see members shame others for things like having a water enhancer or something. People are so quick to follow whatever they're told by some edgy opinion blog that they totally disregard scientific truth.2
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seltzermint555 wrote: »I genuinely think a size 10, or 8-12, is usually *perfect* on a taller girl. Meanwhile most of my female friends strive for size 2 or 4, whether they are currently a size 6 or 28 doesn't seem to matter to them.
you do understand that the size 8-10 today is totally dif than it was 15 years ago right?
and that by saying that 8-12 is "perfect" for taller girls shows that you really aren't in touch with being taller.
When I was a 12 I was considered over weight...now I am in line with my weight I am a size 6...5lbs down I am a size 4...
I think apparently people have gotten so used to fat being normal that it is seen as "perfect"
@SezxyStef
You are not wrong:
http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/10/health/weight-loss-giving-up-diet-obesity-study/index.html
1 -
I see your assertion based on vague reporting and raise you one:
Because of the way the body's bicarbonate buffer system works, the acidity that dairy causes can cause bone loss. I don't think it's a big issue for people who do weight training but if you look up the statistics for the countries with the highest dairy consumption they also lead with bone loss. BUT it's big business like many things are and so the push toward less toxic milks has been done mostly by the fitness community and is why almond, soy, and rice milk is much more available now. Animal protein is just hard on the body all together especially the kidneys and increases the risk of cancer for the same reason "acidity".
http://www.news9.com/story/35617392/study-finds-children-who-drink-non-dairy-milk-shorter-than-peers5 -
Late to the party, but who doesn't need a good vent session on a Monday? Majority of these have been said, but I could use to release some hot air.
The one that grinds my gears most - and is my unpopular opinion, you don't need a special diet to lose weight. Everyone that does paleo or keto or name the rest, it's so damn restrictive. How can you keep that up for the rest of your life? I don't get it. Disclaimer: my generalization doesn't apply to medical conditions... yada yada yada
**CICO is the end all be all. There is no other equation. It's nothing more than calories in vs. calories out. Literally, that's it, it doesn't matter how you complete that equation.
I get a little nutty with that because countless friends and family have tried to force these things down my throat. Some family does paleo - lose the weight, gain it back when stop. Then they do whole30, lose the weight, gain it back. Then keto - repeat. Usually, in my experience, people doing restrictive diets become so sanctimonious about it and start preaching and shoving their woo down your throat. And my pathetic calorie counting is unhealthy and not sustainable.
So maybe my opinion on special diets is because of my experience and treatment from people on them? Take a grain of salt now please.
And someone said many pages back that exercising to eat a candy bar is ridiculous: Nope. The ONLY reason I do cardio, is so I can eat more. I don't need to run 3 miles on the DREADMILL after my heavy lifting 3x's a week, but I do so I can eat more and bank calories for my weekends. Many many times, my Sunday long run was fueled with anticipation of partaking in Sunday funday activities.
Another unpopular opinion: You can eat whatever you want and lose weight. As long as you fit it within your calorie goals. I've had some of my best workouts after having a terrible (read: delicious) greasy meal, with many many cocktails the next morning.
Last: You do not need to give up Alcohol. You can have your whiskey and drink it too.
Thanks guys, I feel great now, hot air gone. Off to have some wings and brews at buffalo wild wings!! Cheers!
18 -
ForecasterJason wrote: »
Over here in the U.S., I'm pretty sure those same foods would be laced with preservatives, particularly when it comes to cheaper brands.VintageFeline wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »@WinoGelato I will admit that my first thought when i see diaries over run with packet/convenience/take away meals is they are either lazy and/or cant cook :blushing:
Awesome. Let me tell you about my typical weekday. Wake at 5:30 am. Spend about 30 minutes with morning routine. 6-6:15 am I check emails that came in overnight from Europe and Asia for work and answer any which are critical. Work out from 6;15 -7:15 am. 7:15-7:30 get my kids (6 and 8 year old boys) up and get them ready for the day (breakfast, make sure they got dressed, brushed teeth, etc, pack lunches for them). 7:30-8am I get ready for work. 8-8:30 I gather everything up for myself (computer, breakfast, lunch) and the kids (backpacks, water bottles, lunches, and the stuff they need for evening activities as well), drive to drop them off at school and then get myself to work by 8:30 or 8:45. I heat my breakfast up (if hot breakfast like a breakfast sandwich or bowl) or eat the yogurt, granola, and fruit I brought from home while I am getting situated in the office. I am in meetings most of the day, and when I do break for lunch, I either have leftovers from a meal that I cooked myself the night before, or I have a frozen meal that I can heat up. I eat at my desk and go for a 30 minute walk at lunch. I work till 5:30 and leave to get my kids by 5:45 or 6pm, then take them to soccer or baseball practice, tutoring, scouts. Sometimes multiple activities in the same night. The whole time I am trying to walk, as well as check more emails on my phone, sometimes calls with Asia while I am at the ball field. We usually get home from the activities by 7:30, at which point I help them with homework (15-30 min) and then have to figure out dinner. Yes, I like to cook and am not bad at it - but on nights like this often hamburger helper with a salad, or a skillet meal, or grilled cheese and tomato soup wins. I get that together while the kids are in the bath, we try to eat around 8pm, and then I spend about an hour putting them to bed and reading to them. By the time I get them in bed it is after 9pm and I have to clean up the kitchen, lay out clothes for the next day, - sometimes if I do want to cook myself a nice meal I do it after they have gone to bed and I eat around 9:30 pm. I spend about an hour just vegging out, watching TV, before getting ready for bed around 10:30, reading for a half hour or so, and finally go to sleep around 11 pm so I can get up and do it all over again.
I can see how that makes me sound lazy.
But thank you for making the point about why my opinion that these foods are a helpful addition to my life is unpopular.
BRA-*kitten*-VO.
Perhaps before assuming someone is lazy, you may consider they may have less time on their hands than you perhaps do.
I don't tend to think people lazy for choosing convenience foods except for cases where I know it's true. But I do think they are often using lack of time as an excuse to eat convenience foods instead of something that might be a little healthier. It doesn't take any longer to bake frozen fish and precut broccoli in the oven than it does a frozen pizza. It doesn't take any longer to make an omelet or stir fry using precut vegetables than it does to make Hamburger Helper.
I'm not suggesting anyone shouldn't eat whatever they want, just saying I rarely buy the "I don't have time" excuse.
How about those of us with chronic illnesses that physically or cognitively impair ones ability to cook. Even sometimes things you can throw in the oven. I forget and burn things. Not yet burned my flat down but that's because I know when not to cook.
I don't use frozen meals but here in the UK we have massive choice of fresh meals from the fridge. My nutrition and macros are fine.
Here's the ingredients of a few of those awful convenience foods.
This is chilli and rice:
Cooked Rice (Water, Long Grain Rice), Red Pepper (18%), British Beef (17%), Onion, Red Kidney Beans (11%), Tomato (6%), Beef Stock (Beef Juices, Tomato Paste, Onion, Carrot), Tomato Purée, Cornflour, Garlic Purée, Rapeseed Oil, Coriander Leaf, Cumin, Salt, Smoked Paprika, Molasses, Chilli Powder, Oregano, Coriander, Black Pepper.
Tomato and basil chicken:
Baby Potato (42%), Tomato (25%), British Chicken (20%), Onion, Water, Rapeseed Oil, Sundried Tomato, Garlic Purée, Tomato Purée, Sugar, Cornflour, Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil, Rosemary, Basil, Salt, Potato Starch, White Wine Vinegar, Oregano, Black Pepper, Lemon Juice from Concentrate, Garlic Extract, Basil Extract.
But yeah, totally nutritionally deficient and full of preservatives. Carry on judging me.
In addition to preservatives, here in the US the cheaper brands would also include artificial colors and flavors, partially hydrogenated oil. etc. I was wanting some Suddenly Pasta Salad, looked at a few boxes at the store, saw they had lots of ingredients I don't eat, and made Pasta With Marinated Tomatoes and Summer Herbs instead. (I used sun dried tomatoes instead of marinating fresh.) Sure, it took me longer than the box of Suddenly Salad would have. But I had the time and I like to cook. I did get some good recipe ideas from the boxes, though.
My next past dish will be Summer Pasta With Zucchini, Ricotta and Basil with grilled chicken tenders.
(I use timers because I would burn everything with out them.)2
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